How does para snowboard cross work?
B · Beginner · Racing · 3 of 3Snowboard cross runs on a course of banks, rollers and jumps, 450 to 1,300 m long and taking 40 to 70 seconds. Qualification is timed, one rider at a time, over one run or two, sometimes with a cut-down. The finals are knockout heats of four or two riders, with the first across the line going through.
How it works
- Course: 450 to 1,300 m.
- Drop: 100 to 250 m.
- Run time: 40 to 70 seconds.
- Qualification: one rider at a time.
- Formats: one run, best of two, cut-down.
- Cut-down: top 62.5% after run one.
- Finals: heats of four or two.
- Seeding run: everyone goes into the bracket.
The glossary has the snowboard cross, the SBX qualification, the seeding run, the SBX finals, the gate and the training and inspection.
Tricky cases
Are qualification and finals on one day?
Not at the Paralympics or Worlds.
Are gap jumps allowed?
No.
Does a DNF in a seeding run end the day?
No. The rider is seeded last.
Is training compulsory?
At least one training run.
Why the rule exists
Timed qualification seeds the heats, so the fastest riders meet later.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Timed | R 1408.2 |
| Finals | Heats | R 1408.1 |
| Seeding run | All advance | R 1408.2.1.4 |
From the rule book
FIS, International Competition Rules, Para Snowboard (July 2026), articles 1401, 1407 and 1408.1 to 1408.2. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: FIS ICR Para Snowboard and Para Snowboard Classification Rules.